Thomas Hogg, a Curious Man with 700 Varieties of Carnations, 1820

JF Ptak Science Books Post 1033

I just came upon this work1 on gardening and the carnation, by Thomas Hogg, printed in London in 1820. It was evidently a pre-eminent book of its type for its time, Mr. Hogg occupying a high place in the gardening and flowering world of early 19th century England. (He found some high favorites at court who no doubt were able to help him pursue his vast interest, as we can see by the thesauro-laudatory words in his dedication page2. I should add quickly that this is by no means an over-the-top dedication–although decorated with high praises, the dedication is not a Liberacesque celebration as some dedications have been, and would rank somewhere in the lower-middle in the ranks of glowing thanks.)

What is more interesting to me though was the following mention that I found of Hogg in a contemporary British culture book:

“Mr. Hogg, was master of an Academy at Paddington, Middlesex, he is now a florist at the same place, where he has a collection of Carnations and Primroses, perhaps the finest in the world. He is celebrated for his successful culture of them. He has more than seven hundred varieties of all prices from two to sixty shillings.”

700 varieties of carnations–of anything–is impressive. I wonder ho wit was that Mr. Hogg was able to amass such an incredible storehouse of carnations? Hogg himself seems quiet on the issue, taking a modest exit with a quote from Shakespeare: “ I have neither the Scholar's melancholy, which is emulation; nor the Musician's, which is fantastical; nor the Courtier's, which is proud; nor the Soldier's, which is ambition; nor the Lawyer's, which is politic; nor the Lady's, which is nice; nor the Lover's, which is all these.” He does make the point and an unusual argument that it is his the will of the creator of the universe that humans appreciate, respect and grow flowers:

“As the hand of an all-beneficent Creator Has been graciously pleased to strew and decorate the earth with flowers, to gratify the sight by their beauty, and to refresh the sense of smelling by their fragrance, as we proceed from stage to stage along the rugged road of life; and as nothing which he has formed for the benefit of man was ever; designed by him to; perish or exist in vain, it is our duty to receive these pleasing productions of Him, among others, with all thankfulness, and to render them subservient to the purposes of health, pleasure, and amusement; for such no doubt he first bestowed them. In fact, the cultivation of flowers has in all parts, as well as in all ages of the world, engaged more or less the care and attention of a great part of mankind; for the same Being that created them, created in man also a wish and an inclination to cultivate and take charge of them...”

I guess that if the Creator was going to make people do something, gardening wouldn’t be a bad thing at all. Mr. Hogg and his floral religiosity is a mystery to me, but I must respect a man who somehow created such an evidently splendid collection.

Notes:

1. A TREATISE ON THE CARNATION and OTHER FLOWERS.APRACTICAL TREATISE ON THE CULTUREOF THECARNATION,PINK, AURICULA, POLYANTHUS, RANUNCULUS,TULIP, HYACINTH, ROSE, ANDOTHER FLOWERS:DISSERTATION ON SOILS AND MANURES, AND CATALOGUESOF THE MOST ESTEEMED VARIETIES OF EACH FLOWER.

2, Dedication:

“To THE RIGHT HONOURABLE DOWAGER LADY DE CLIFFORD.May It Please Your Ladyship,It is with no small degree of satisfaction that I here record your Ladyship's permission to introduce this small and humble work to public notice, under the sanction of your Ladyship's distinguished name; believe me, I am duly sensible of the honour conferred, as well as of the powerful recommendation which it thereby receives.

“Your Ladyship's name, I may fairly say, is in a manner identified with the science of botany itself; for you have been its liberal and munificent patroness for years, and have long pursued it, as a study at once innocent, rational, and amusing, with unwearied ardour and success...”

“The various productions of Nature which you have collected from all parts and all climates of the world, some requiring the fostering warmth of the stove, others the more temperate atmosphere of the green-house,—to say nothing of those that adorn the open garden,—each distinguished for some striking and peculiar property, either of elegant and stately growth, curious and remarkable foliage, or beautiful and odoriferous blossom, whether tree, shrub, or herb, bespeak alike your Ladyship's refined taste and judicious selection. I am, With sentiments of profound respect,